During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, society underwent earth-shaking changes. A new intellectual, cultural, and political order is taking shape, which is reflected in its burial system and funeral rituals.
What we can see is a change in the size and form of the tombs. Previously, the boundaries between nobles and commoners were clear, and their tombs were also strictly hierarchical. But by the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, this situation began to change. The tombs of some commoners also began to become more and more luxurious, even comparable to those of the nobility. This reflected the increased social mobility and the growing desire for power and status.
The form of the funeral is also changing. Previous funerals were usually conducted by members of the family and had certain normative procedures. But during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, this tradition was broken, and funerals became more personalized and diverse. For example, some people will have a famous poet or musician to perform at their funeral, while others will choose a special funeral such as cremation or water burial.
Behind these changes is a reflection of the social climate and social values of the time. With the development of productive forces, people's pursuit of material life has become more vigorous, which is also reflected in tombs and funerals. At the same time, Confucian thought began to influence the perception that life was short and therefore should be enjoyed as much as possible, rather than focusing too much on etiquette after death.
We must also note that although the tombs and funerals of the time changed, their basic cultural connotations did not change fundamentally. Both nobles and commoners valued respect and remembrance of the dead, and at the same time wanted to immortalize themselves in this way. Therefore, although on the surface, the burial system and funeral rites of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period seem to be more open and free, in fact they are still heavily influenced by traditional culture.